Description
Although Camley Street Natural Park only opened in 1985 it is a legacy of the pioneering conservation projects set up by the GLC's London Ecology Unit. Situated adjacent to the Regent's Canal, from Victorian times until 1960s the site was used as a coal depot, but then became derelict. Acquired by the GLC in 1981 for a lorry park, local people successfully lobbied against this with the London Wildlife Trust. As a result it became a community nature park, attracting a diverse range of wetland species of flora and fauna. It contains woodland, marshland, reed beds around a pond, wild flower meadow and garden area. In 2020 a new visitor centre building was completed by Ash Construction, and other improvements
Practical Information
| Previously known as | Camley Street Nature Park |
|---|---|
| Site location | 12 Camley Street, King's Cross |
| Postcode | NW1 0PW |
| What3Words | ///sorters.king.saving |
| Type of Site | Public Open Land |
| Borough | Camden |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | Daily 10am-4pm |
| Facilities | Visitor Centre and Learning Centre, Kingfisher Cafe (Wed-Sun 10am-4pm) |
| Events | Educational programme plus arts and other events |
| Public Transport | Rail: King's Cross. Tube: King's Cross (Metropolitan, Hammersmith & City, Piccadilly, Circle, Victoria, Northern). Bus: 214. |
| Research Updated | 24 November 2022 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
Although Camley Street Nature Park only opened in 1985 it is a legacy of the pioneering conservation projects set up by the GLC's London Ecology Unit and is an example of the success and importance of urban ecology for environmental and educational purposes in the heart of London. Situated adjacent to the Regent's Canal, from Victorian times the site was used as a coal depot until the 1960s, then left derelict it became a rubbish dump, and was then acquired by the GLC for a lorry/coach park in 1981. In 1982 local people lobbied against this with the London Wildlife Trust and as a result it became a community nature park, opened to the public in May 1985 by Ken Livingstone, then Leader of the GLC. Following abolition of the GLC it was transferred to LB Camden who lease it for a peppercorn rent to the London Wildlife Trust. It was designated a Local Nature Reserve and has become an extremely popular resource for visitors. When it opened, the visitor centre was an old cricket pavilion and the site had a diverse range of wetland species of flora and fauna and attracted c. 50 bird species, with 2 areas of wild space with woodland, marshland, reed beds around the pond, wild flower meadow and garden area. In 1988 its future was threatened when the King's Cross railway lands were designated for redevelopment for the Channel Tunnel Rail Link which has resulted in some land lost in the south although an additional area was given in the south-east corner.
The nature park was closed between 2018-2020 while a major project took place to build a much-needed new visitor and learning centre together with improvements to the landscape. The work commenced in 2018, with funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and supported by numerous other agencies: Thames Water; Camden Giving's HS2 Camden Fund; Stavros Niarchos Foundation; Garfield Weston Foundation; Charles Hayward Foundation; Veolia Environmental Trust; Hedley Foundation; John Lyon's Charity; Taurus Foundation and Greater London Authority (GLA). Built by Ash Construction, the fully accessible building opened in 2020 and includes an education studio with multi-functional learning space, a café and facilities for volunteers. An outdoor learning area has been created, using space created by the construction of the Somers Town Bridge to the north of the park provides a new wildlife-friendly habitat on the banks of the Regent’s Canal. Other improvements include wider and more accessible footpaths and ‘citizen science stops’ to introduce visitors to particular wildlife habitats; wildlife-friendly spaces for nesting swifts and bats, and new views across the nature reserve and the Regent’s Canal. Camley Street Natural Park re-opened on 13 October 2020.
The nature park was closed between 2018-2020 while a major project took place to build a much-needed new visitor and learning centre together with improvements to the landscape. The work commenced in 2018, with funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and supported by numerous other agencies: Thames Water; Camden Giving's HS2 Camden Fund; Stavros Niarchos Foundation; Garfield Weston Foundation; Charles Hayward Foundation; Veolia Environmental Trust; Hedley Foundation; John Lyon's Charity; Taurus Foundation and Greater London Authority (GLA). Built by Ash Construction, the fully accessible building opened in 2020 and includes an education studio with multi-functional learning space, a café and facilities for volunteers. An outdoor learning area has been created, using space created by the construction of the Somers Town Bridge to the north of the park provides a new wildlife-friendly habitat on the banks of the Regent’s Canal. Other improvements include wider and more accessible footpaths and ‘citizen science stops’ to introduce visitors to particular wildlife habitats; wildlife-friendly spaces for nesting swifts and bats, and new views across the nature reserve and the Regent’s Canal. Camley Street Natural Park re-opened on 13 October 2020.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ299834 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 1 |
| Site Ownership | LB Camden, leased to London Wildlife Trust |
| Site Management | London Wildlife Trust |
| Dates | 1984/5 |
| On National Heritage List for England (NHLE), Parks & Gardens | No |
| Registered common or village green on Commons Registration Act 1965 | No |
| Protected under London Squares Preservation Act 1931 | No |
| Local Authority | Camden |
| In Conservation Area | Yes |
| Conservation Area Name | Regent's Canal |
| Tree Preservation Order | No |
| Nature Conservation Area | Yes - Metropolitan Importance |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | Yes - King's Cross Area of Opportunity |
| Other LA Designation | Local Nature Reserve. King's Cross Area of Opportunity. |
Gallery
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Nearby parks and gardens
* on The National Heritage List for England, Parks & Gardens
This was once part of the burial ground of St Pancras Old Church, which remains adjacent to the public garden. The churchyard was enlarged in 1727 and again in 1792, and St Giles-in-the-Fields burial ground opened in 1802 to the north. Churchyard and burial ground were closed for burials by 1855, St Giles and part of St Pancras grounds later encroached and partly destroyed by railway construction from 1863, the clearance of tombs and bodies causing much outcry. St Pancras Vestry acquired the remaining land in 1875 and St Pancras Gardens were opened in 1877 when Baroness Burdett-Coutts laid the foundation stone of her memorial fountain and sundial. The gardens were laid out in their present form in 1890-91, and have a geometric layout with paths, mature trees, grass and rose garden, with some monuments remaining. Numerous important people were buried here, including Sir John Soane's family, the composer Johann Christian Bach buried in a pauper's grave in 1782.
This was once part of the burial ground of St Pancras Old Church, which remains adjacent to the public garden. The churchyard was enlarged in 1727 and again in 1792, and St Giles-in-the-Fields burial ground opened in 1802 to the north. Churchyard and burial ground were closed for burials by 1855, St Giles and part of St Pancras grounds later encroached and partly destroyed by railway construction from 1863, the clearance of tombs and bodies causing much outcry. St Pancras Vestry acquired the remaining land in 1875 and St Pancras Gardens were opened in 1877 when Baroness Burdett-Coutts laid the foundation stone of her memorial fountain and sundial. The gardens were laid out in their present form in 1890-91, and have a geometric layout with paths, mature trees, grass and rose garden, with some monuments remaining. Numerous important people were buried here, including Sir John Soane's family, the composer Johann Christian Bach buried in a pauper's grave in 1782.
Goldington Crescent Gardens are an oval area enclosed by railings, with grass and tall mature trees, bisected by a serpentine path. The terrace of Nos. 5-12 Goldington Crescent was built c.1849-50 and the land was owned by the Duke of Bedford and a Mr A Wilkinson, each of whom owned half the houses of the Crescent. The gardens were provided for use of the occupants of surrounding houses, who bore the maintenance costs, but are now publicly accessible. A late C19th double cattle trough presented by the Metropolitan Cattle Trough and Drinking Fountain Association is situated to the north of the gardens. A new sculptural commission by Robert Worley, ARBS, was installed in the gardens in 2010.
Founded by His Highness Aga Khan IV, the Aga Khan Centre opened in 2018 as a place for education, knowledge, cultural exchange and insight into Muslim civilisations. The building was designed by Japanese architect Fumihiko Maki, and is influenced by Islamic architectural heritage, representing the values of openness, dialogue and respect for different viewpoints. The Centre incorporates a collection of gardens, courtyards and terraces that demonstrate the diversity and influence of Islamic landscape design around the world. Although the Islamic Gardens are private spaces, there are regular public tours. Within the Centre is the Aga Khan Centre Gallery, which hosts events, exhibitions and talks that are open to the public.
